Welcome to the part 1 thread which deals with Entry Level and Camera's for the Novice. Part 2 will address Amatuer and Enthusiast users. Part 3 will address Advanced user and Pro Camera.

The Idea is to discuss Canon strategy for these three groups so that we as the consumer can take benefit.

So I will start with my take, parts 2 and 3 will be started in one and two weeks time respectively.

Assumptions that Canon has made:

1. The Smart Phone and Tablet Market will advance and grow to the point where it more or less destroys the Point and Shoot/CSC/Mirrorless market this process will take around 5 years. What customer wants to carry or use up the space of 2 portable devices in their Handbags. We must prepare and protect ourselves for this. 2. There has to be a differentiator What is it: Everyone aspires to be a photographer, people who walk around with Smart Phones and Tablets are not photographers they are simply casual tourists or they are out with their friends having a good time. A real photographer carries a DSLR. OK we found it! Carrying A DSLR is a lifestyle statement it sets Photographers apart from the SP/T users, everyone in the world realises this difference, so as all as we have to do is feed and maintain this differentiator and we stay in Business.3. We are the Market Leader and to a great extent we will ignore what our competition is doing, we will follow our Strategy through the peaks and troughs and in the end we will survive and still be market leader. We believe this wholeheartedly.4. Our current and our competitors product range is all over the place, first thing we need to do is standardise the products we sell for each market segment.

Let the story begin welcome to the Back to the Future Part 1 thread relating to Entry Level Camera's for the Novice

Forget the EOS M it is not a DSLR and is therefore doomed in accordance with the "lifestyle" theoryForget the EOS 1100D It's a Dog.The new 100D is small compact and has good features for an entry level camera, going to be a best seller when word gets around.

550D At the time of its release was a real winner and cash cow for Canon, sold like hot cakes and rightly so great value for the consumer. 600D and 650D where simply an evolution of this as is the 700D.

Canon Strategy:So the only 2 Cameras that should remain in this segment for entry level and novice users are 100D and 700D or there evolutions, there is enough difference in specification of these 2 units to warrant the difference in cost. Over time we will make small improvements to these products so that they stay current and relevant. We will not improve the specifications significantly or they will eat into the next segment (for Amatuer and Enthusiast)

The trends in the point and shoot market are obvious to everyone. All manufacturers are trying to figure out how to adapt to the smart phone competition.

It's pretty clear from Canon's recent introductions – Power Shot N, SX50, EOS M, SL1, G1-X – that Canon is experimenting with a number of niche market formats targeted to specific audiences. What's also clear is that they do not believe the future is going to found in less options, but rather in more.

Canon doesn't have a crystal ball that works any better than any other manufacturer's. They seem to be positioning themselves to be able to take advantage of the market no matter what direction it goes. Frankly, I think their flexibility will probably serve them well in the long run.

Thankyou Unfocused, the point of the thread is to obtain valuable comments such as yours.

Really singsling? Are you sure it's not so you can make loads of assumptions and try to say how clever you are? I'm not sure if your post is supposed to be funny by being provocatively daft, or if you really think you have an insight into canons thinking.

Logged

If you debate with a fool onlookers can find it VERY difficult to tell the difference.

I rather like this idea of the thread. Let's just hope no one comes along and hijacks it with pointless DR/Sonikon/MFT/Fuji trolling

To totally go against my first point, I SERIOUSLY doubt that Canon is ignorant and/or does not care what the competition does. In fact I think they constantly are on the watch for what takes off in the markets. Depending on the results, they might have a hard time responding (EOS-M anyone?), but they will certainly try.

Another route I think they might take, as they are one of the few companies that manufacture imaging chips, is to cut down on models like A and Ixus, and instead sell the chips directly to Samsung and Apple to put in the phones. A phone marketed with a camera "made by Canon" in it, could sell very well.

Smart phones' cameras are improving all the time, but size limitations means it will never be as good as MILCs. MILCs have a size advantage over DSLRs.

IMHO, the P&S market will be crushed between smart phones & MILCs. Those who want to carry the least will buy a smart phone, and settle on camera IQ, and those who aren't willing to settle on camera IQ will buy a MILC, and carry some extra weight.

Cor blimey it's tough in here isn't it. I started out a poor boy and never had a Camera, as I grew up I managed to take 1 decent photo of a Datsun 240Z with a backdrop of tree's and a nice road scene I used a cheap something or other. Having done this I was a convert and vowed to myself I would own a decent Camera one day. I used to look in the Windows of Camera shops and Catalogues and drool.

Just over 2 Years ago I purchased a 550D and it changed my world, I never stopped shooting, went on corses, read books shot more and more. My hit rate steadily improved to where it is today and I am not poor anymore and own a 5D3 and several good lenses. I love taking Photographs but by the standards of the ones displayed in this forum I consider myself still a novice.

For about 2 years I have been an avid reader of this forum and never contributed, but learnt a lot from the various articles and advice that you find in here as I said I look in awe at the beautiful Photo's contained within.

I thought I would make a contribution and believe me it took some courage to do. I thought I would start by trying to create a descussion from the viewpoint of Canon and the future and then see what you the members thought. But it is clear to see that I have been slain, so I will now withdraw.

Best Regards

Gary

sorry Ellen your constructive post came in during the same time I was posting, thankyou.

Cor blimey it's tough in here isn't it. I started out a poor boy and never had a Camera, as I grew up I managed to take 1 decent photo of a Datsun 240Z with a backdrop of tree's and a nice road scene I used a cheap something or other. Having done this I was a convert and vowed to myself I would own a decent Camera one day. I used to look in the Windows of Camera shops and Catalogues and drool.

Just over 2 Years ago I purchased a 550D and it changed my world, I never stopped shooting, went on corses, read books shot more and more. My hit rate steadily improved to where it is today and I am not poor anymore and own a 5D3 and several good lenses. I love taking Photographs but by the standards of the ones displayed in this forum I consider myself still a novice.

For about 2 years I have been an avid reader of this forum and never contributed, but learnt a lot from the various articles and advice that you find in here as I said I look in awe at the beautiful Photo's contained within.

I thought I would make a contribution and believe me it took some courage to do. I thought I would start by trying to create a descussion from the viewpoint of Canon and the future and then see what you the members thought. But it is clear to see that I have been slain, so I will now withdraw.

Best Regards

Gary

sorry Ellen your constructive post came in during the same time I was posting, thankyou.

I am sorry you withdraw.I am not sure about the title of this thread but I find it an interesting discussion. I too like to see peoples opinions on where development of cameras (DSLR) will go in the world of tablets, smartphones (zeislenses etc), MILC.